WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Ambon Scorpionfish

Pteroidichthys amboinensis

Also known as: Ambon Firefish, Ambon Goblinfish, Ambon Rockfish, Ambon Stingfish, Firefish, Goblinfish, Godfrey's Scorpionfish, Hairy Scorpionfish, Stingfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2016
Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeth Resort, Indonesia · June 20061 / 5
01

Overview

These shaggy scorpionfish with large growths above eyes, are often found in pairs on the ocean floor, blending in with the soft mud, dark sand, and weedy bottoms.

Scorpionfish are masters of camouflage, enabling them to lie in wait for their victims to come close, before lunging forward and inhaling their prey with their large mouths.
When disturbed they raise the spines along their backs and will usually move off out of harms way, however, if cornered they are able to charge at considerable speed.
Highly dangerous and poisonous with venomous spines along its back if trodden on etc., can cause death!

02

How to identify

Pattern
blotches

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 5
04

Adult photos 5

05

Discussion 1

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Taxonomy

  1. kingdomAnimalia
  2. phylumChordata
  3. classTeleostei
  4. orderPerciformes
  5. familyScorpaenidae
  6. genusPteroidichthys
  7. speciesPteroidichthys amboinensis Bleeker, 1856

SourcesWoRMSFishBase

06

More in the family

Rockfishes (Scorpaenidae)